Triple Alliance Causes

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It is hard to believe that an issue as exclusive as the question of Slavic independence could develop into one of the most significant events in human history. But despite what one might venture to guess, the First World War began largely as a result of prior alliances and diplomatic tension and hostility due to the wide spread practice of self-serving, competitive, and antagonistic ideologies. World War 1 was sparked by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and kindled by the ideologies of nationalism, imperialism, and militarism, along with the alliance systems that were in effect when war erupted in 1914. The growth in ideologies such as nationalism, imperialism, and militarism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries played …show more content…

The two main contributing alliances were the Triple Alliance, composed of Germany, Austria-Hungary, and later Italy, and the Triple Entente, which included France, Russia, and Britain. The Triple Alliance was one of the main causes of German participation in World War 1. Although Germany was seemingly uninvolved in the issue of Slavic freedom, they declared war on Russia, who was aiding Serbia in the war against Austria Hungary, shortly after Austria-Hungary had done the same. The war in question was based around a social issue that did not significantly affect the German population, yet Germany’s treaty with Austria-Hungary compelled the nation to invest their wealth, natural resources, and the lives of their citizens in what would soon become World War 1. Likewise, the entrance of France into World War 1 came as a result of the Triple Entente. Russia’s decision to aid Serbia in World War 1 was inspired by the nation’s large Slavic population and their desire to assist their fellow Slavs. As a result, both Germany and Austria-Hungary declared war on Russia causing France, like Germany, to be obligated by treaty to declare war on the two opposing nations in order to assist their ally, Russia. Had it not been for the alliances that had been established prior to World War 1 what began as a war for Slavic independence would likely have remained an isolated

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